Most tenants report lost items that belong to the owner at the end of the tenancy. Required fields are marked *. If the tenant doesn’t do any of the above, you can apply to your local Landlord and Tenant Board for an order telling the tenant to provide the key, or pay you the cost of altering the locking system and providing them with a new key. If the locks stop working for any reason, such as they are old and the tumblers stop turning, landlords should bear the cost. The tenant should write a letter to the landlord asking for permission and outlining their concerns. Landlords are prohibited from changing the locks as a form of eviction (i.e. You can find a summary of these different rules and regulations here on the city of Chicago’s website. She claims she was “forced” to change the locks for the safety of her new tenant, and is holding me liable since I did not return her keys until 10 days after move-out. A renter is at fault for any lost items (keys included), regardless of whether they lost unknowingly or through theft. Tenants may also ask to change the locks themselves if they lose a key or for other personal safety reasons. They would also be responsible for the cost if they have lost their keys and need new ones. They may make the repairs themselves and deduct the cost from future rental payments. More information on these policies can be read here. Without a legal eviction, if you do change the locks, your tenant has the right to call the police to gain entrance to their home. If the tenant wants to change the lock during the tenancy, they will need the permission of the landlord. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. So, maybe one of their roommates moved out, and they wish to have new locks. Filing fees are generally in the neighborhood of $20. Where to Store Cleaning Supplies in A Small Apartment. Don’t just do it for the sake of ridding yourself a difficult tenant. But, do they have the right to change the locks without your permission? Who is responsible to pay to rekey locks? Landlords are required to give the following mandatory disclosures before executing a lease: In counties with over 3 million people, Illinois landlords must change the locks after the conclusion of a lease. After that, they can file a complaint with the local/provincial landlord and tenant board. In this scenario, a resident plans to move, turns in their notice to vacate, and meets all the terms of the lease. If you ever feel that it’s not in your place to change the locks, think twice. Landlords may only charge for damage that is beyond normal wear and tear. Landlords must also change locks when requested by a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse. This video helps explain when it’s proper for the landlord and the tenant to pay to rekey locks: Landlords should pay to rekey locks between renters. Even when your tenant isn’t following the rules, there are very few instances where a landlord can lock a resident out. The attorney providing the answer was not serving as the attorney for the person submitting the question or in any attorney-client relationship with such person. However, your situation seems to be a bit more colorful: Why is the roommate still there? Or another case might be, the tenants or their guests damaged the lock or broke the key. It cannot be safe for the same locks to remain. They could charge a rekey fee of what it costs to have a locksmith do the job. Landlords are also not permitted to evict tenants in retaliation or for discriminatory reasons. Generally speaking and assuming that you have turned in your keys, your landlord should not be charging you to change the locks. Your email address will not be published. All Rights Reserved. Related: Do You Make These 3 Landlord Mistakes? Remember that landlords cannot change the locks on a tenant to force them to vacate the unit. authorized to practice law in the jurisdiction referred to in the question, nor is he or she necessarily experienced in the area of the law involved. Once this time elapses, you’re free to switch the property locks. For a landlord, it’s best practice to have information that explicitly states when tenants would be solely responsible for re-keying locks and what would be expected of them. Find the right lawyer for your legal issue. Business Assistance – https://www1.nyc.gov/, Q: Can I still close on my property in state? And if you hastily change the locks, you might get exposed to damages and attorney fees for the tenant. Fill out all the proper documentation, because you might need it to start an eviction process if the tenant does not intend to give you a key.

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